Briefs - James City County/mathews/hampton/newport News/norfolk

JAMES CITY - The body of a 67-year-old security guard was found in a Lafayette High School classroom Thursday morning, police said. They suspect no foul play.

Richard Brooks of the 200 block of Quarter Trail in Newport News was discovered by a fellow security guard at about 5 a.m., said Capt. Ken Middlebrook of the James City County Police Department. Employees of Clemons Security Services of Newport News, where Brooks worked, told police that Brooks was last seen at 11 p.m.

An agency supervisor making a routine check missed Brooks when he went to the school about 2:45 a.m. Brooks had not signed the hourly log sheet after midnight, said Sgt. Robert Dudley of the school staff. Two other Clemons guards dispatched to look for Brooks found his body in a classroom.

The cause of death appeared to be natural, Middlebrook said, but an autopsy will be performed by the state medical examiner.

WATERMAN BEATEN, ROBBED IN NEW POINT

MATHEWS - A semi-retired waterman was pistol-whipped and robbed of about $2,500 cash at his home in New Point between 1 and 1:30 Thursday afternoon, said Sheriff Kenneth H. Jordan Jr.

Swanson Hudgins, 77, was released after treatment for head wounds at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester, the sheriff said.

A tracking dog worked by State Trooper Steve Gentry followed a scent from Hudgins home, off Route 601 on Dyer's Creek, to an area close to New Point Post Office on Route 602, the sheriff said.

The robber may have gotten into a vehicle there, he said.

FIRE SPREADS FROM GARAGE TO HOUSE

HAMPTON - A fire that started in an attached garage destroyed the garage and extensively damaged a two-story house at 500 Blue Ridge Hunt Road in the Northampton section on Wednesday.

Fire officials estimated the loss to the building and contents at $60,000.

Fire Investigator A.D. Clark said Hazel Oney discovered the fire about 12:40 p.m. after she returned home, opened the front door and found the house filled with smoke. Oney backed away and ran to a neighbor's to call an emergency dispatcher.

She returned to her house, and when she opened the garage door, apparently in an attempt to save some property, the additional oxygen triggered a small explosion that sent a flash of fire in her direction.

The fire spread rapidly from the garage to the kitchen, along the back of the house and had penetrated the attic by the time firefighters arrived.

Clark said the blaze was accidental and started "in the vicinity of an electric dryer" that apparently ignited some combustibles.

Heaviest damage was to the garage and kitchen areas with smoke and heat damage apparent through the rest of the house, Clark said. He said firefighters managed to control the blaze and prevent its spread to other rooms.

Clark said the flash fire that resulted when Oney entered her garage provides a good example of why residents should not enter a burning building.

MAN WOUNDED IN EAST END

A 29-year-old man was shot three times during an argument after he left an East End restaurant late Wednesday, police said.

Offie Sanders, of the 100 block of 34th Street, was hit in the lower chest, ribcage and leg after he emerged from On the Avenue in the 3500 block of Washington Avenue about 11 p.m., said Sgt. Mike Brewer. Sanders was in serious condition Thursday at Riverside Regional Medical Center.

Brewer said the shots were fired after Sanders became involved in an argument in front of the restaurant with several people.

Police had not been able to interview Sanders to determine if he knew who shot him, Brewer said.

Postmaster Walter Neilson said those who wish to participate will be asked to fill out a short form and to provide a written list of up to 125 names and addresses. Within five days, they will receive a computerized list of names, mailing labels, their original list, and five labels addressed to troops stationed overseas, he said.

The service, which will be offered only in Newport News between Nov. 19 and Dec. 14, is being done to boost the troops' morale as well as to improve the readability of addresses on holiday card envelopes.

USS SAN DIEGO OPEN TO VISITORS

NORFOLK - The combat stores ship USS San Diego will be open to visitors Saturday and Sunday from 1 until 4:30 p.m. at pier 3 of the Norfolk Naval Base.

Those without a base sticker on their cars who wish to visit the ship must stop at the base pass office on Hampton Boulevard, across from Gate 5, to obtain a pass. A driver's license and car registration are required.